ISLANDER WOMENS TENNIS EDGED 4-3 BY ILLINOIS STATE

Feb 06, 2010

El Paso - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's team lost a
close 4-3 match on Friday against Illinois State. It was the
second match in as many days that came down to the third set in the
deciding match with the Islanders unable to pull out another
thriller after beating UTEP by the identical score the day
before.

Unlike yesterday, TAMUCC was unable to take the doubles point,
winning at the No. 3 spot but falling at the No. 1 and 2
positions. Nadia Filmalter and Doris Kuselj won at No. 3 doubles
by an 8-6 final while Mirna Cicak and Megan Harless lost an 8-5
final at No. 1 and Bianca Discordia and LeAnne Mascall lost 8-5 at
the No. 2 spot.

"We battled very hard today and our match was a lot like
yesterday," said Director of Tennis Steve Moore. "After six hours
it came down to just a few points.

"This team battled hard and showed a lot of character just like
yesterday."

In singles action, the Islanders and the Redbirds split the six
matches and not deciding the outcome until the final set of the
final match. Kuselj won at No. 2 singles by a 6-3, 6-2 final,
Discordia won at the No. 3 spot 6-2, 6-3 and Mascall won at No. 5
singles by a 6-4, 6-4 tally. Kovacs lost a very close two-setter
by a 7-6, 7-6 score at No. 4 singles and Filmalter fell 6-3, 6-3 at
the No. 6 position.

Those matches setup the finale at No. 1 singles, another match
contested until the bitter end, with Cicak losing 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 in
three sets. The decision gave the Redbirds the win and their
third-straight victory.

"I'm really proud of the way these young players are competing,"
said Moore. "Give credit to Illinois state, they won quite a battle
today."

The Islanders move on to face Arkansas State on Saturday in El
Paso. Following that match, they will start Southland play on
Monday in Dallas when they play Central Arkansas in a neutral court
match.

"If this team keeps fighting and competing as hard as they have
the last two matches," said Moore. "We'll have a heck of a season
this year."